Customer Reviews

Woob 1194

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was pleased to see that this album had a perfect five-star rating. I can't think of any other album in the genre that deserves the same. If you know your stuff, then you know that this is perhaps the most highly-regarded album of its kind ever. And there's a very good reason for that. Paul Frankland has created one of the most consistently appealing ambient albums in existence. However, this isn't just shoe-gazing mellowness. 'On Earth' and 'odonna' each have their share of driving beats and brilliant samples. In addition to the Middle Eastern tinged-sounds, Frankland has some of the strangest, yet most haunting, selection of vocal samples in the business, ranging from 'The Abyss' to 'Star Trek' to 'Mississippi Burning.' Oh, and that show 'Quantum Leap.' Strange, to be certain, but effective.

The album is also a great introduction to ambient, ambient dub, etc. If you're curious, but afraid to just choose something, you can't go wrong with this. Several acquaintances of mine who swore up and down that they weren't interested in electronic music have added this album to their collections after hearing juts a few minutes of it. Best of all, it's aging incredibly well. That seems to be a pretty tall order for most electronic outfits, but this still sounds fresh next to current releases. And I say that after playing it fairly regularly for the last five years.

An absolute must. No, really.

1194 by Woob is definately one of the finest ambient releases of the 90's. Do not fear the opening 32 minute track named 'On Earth', because it's an artist like Woob who knows how to pass the time away seemlessly with smart vocal samples and complimentary percussion. The track 'Wuub' floats purposely forward with a slow lazy beat and calming female vocal sample. However, the pure gem on this release is the glorious 'Odonna', where soft synth ambience starts the track and is taken over by engaging dialog from a film long forgotten. Then a glorious choir style vocal sweep (you have to hear it to appreciate it) floats on until the track subsides. Fantastic track from a fantastic release.

I got my copy for $80 on ebay. I thought to myself, "whatever," people are probably exaggerating, like they usually are. I put the CD in (shuffle mode, "Wuub" came first), went about my business, music started, beat kicked in, and I stopped. Seemed that everything stopped. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing -- no music, no movie has ever had such an impact on me. I believe I just stood there with my mouth open, a chill run through me, I looked at my arms and saw I was covered in goose bumps. This CD is something else. It is out of this world. There is a spooky quality to it, but it does not mean that it is devilish. Just something eerie, something weird and beautiful at the same time, something extremely powerful. I half expected a UFO to be flying outside my window. In fact I think I actually looked out for one. And to think that it is from 1994. I have plenty of Ambient CDs by some of the leading artists of today -- none of them come even close to Woob 1194. It's as if it was recorded on another planet by some advanced, higher intelligence and then thrown on Earth to confuse all those that listen to it. It is more than ambient, more than trip-hop, more than chill -- it is all of it plus some unexplained subconscious 'something' that will put your senses through such a spin that you will have a new outlook on music. On top of it all -- I now want a pet Penguin.

This is one of my favorite CD's in my entire collection. In ambient styles of music, it can be quite difficult to keep the flow, to create an illusion of slow movement through spaces and scenes. Woob does this better than anyone. Everything on this album is done to perfection, from the sound, texture, and atmosphere, to the integration of recorded and synthesized sounds. The way different samples are weaved together in the first track is simply breathtaking. This album is an excellent introduction to what ambient music should be, and is a must-have for any listener.

It's a shame that one of the best albums of it's genre (of any genre) is not available to buy at a reasonable price.

As many of the other reviews have said, this album is absolutely exceptional.

From the Middle Eastern singing and rainforest sounds of On Earth, through the ambient samples and background synth choirs of Oddona, the chillout charm of Ameoba Wuub, the slasher film samples and spooky atmosphere of Strange Air, to the slowed down penguin sounds on the final track, Emperor this album is a delight. I've heard many albums which, on the face of it, are similar, but none that brings everything together into the experience that is Woob's 1194.

I have over 2500 albums in my collection, ranging from classical to heavy metal, yet I find myself returning to a fix of Woob's 1194 a couple of times a week. I have had a copy for 10 years and never tire of it. I even like the cover!

I read somewhere that it's unlikely to be released again as there wouldn't be the demand for it. Let's hope not.

Ok. So. I picked this up about ten years ago, when I first started listening to ambient. At the time, I hadn't heard it, and didn't know what to expect; after my first listen, I was instantly hooked. It was, and still is, totally unique, and I hadn't (and still haven't) heard anything like it. Original, organic, and full of surprises. Anyway, a few months after I got it, it was stolen out of my car, along with about a dozen other cd's. This was the only one I bothered to replace (I was lucky enough to find it online for $12). Good thing I did, considering the astronomical prices this is now fetching on eBay.

But that is almost beside the point; those lucky enough to own this cd have more than just a valuable collectible. This isn't just a cd, it's an experience. An event, even. So much warmth, humanity, and life. One of those rare releases that creates its own world, sucks you into that world, and won't let you leave. Not that you'd want to.

Been Looking for this cd for 11 years. It's exspensive only because it's rare. Highly worth the price.

Perfect CD.

This album is definitely intense. Paul Frankland aka Woob, employs dense rhythms, sweeping melodies, perfectly chosen samples, and sensual spaces to create one of the most incredible albums I have ever listened to. Although almost five years old, no one has matched the uniqueness and quality of this recording. A must for anyone serious about music.

I found this CD along with the Cds You Like Chinese Food by Pablo's Eye and Bloody Tourist by Shinjuku Thief in '95 at a CD store in Chicago called The Quaker Goes Deaf. I burned holes through all three of them.

Woob was, and is, the best ambient album I have ever heard. It envelops and transports you. It is both strange yet comforting at the same time. A seamless experience that makes a perfect soundtrack for those late night drives home after a good night out. It does not use samples and effects as a crutch as some ambient albums do, nor does it drag you into boredom. It is composed but not restrictive, and loose but not meandering. Perfect.

In case you look up Pablo's Eye or Shinjuku Thief, they are not ambient per se but also worth a listen. In fact, if you are not aware of the Extreme label you should give it a chance.

For other ambient music I reccommend Paul Schutze.

One of the best late night sessions ive ever experienced with a pair of headphones. Enjoy ~~